Washington State is on the verge of potentially groundbreaking legislation that could reshape the use of biosolids, commonly referred to as human fertilizer. Senator Jeff Wilson (R) is leading the charge on a new short-term solution to address PFAS contamination. The bill would require testing for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in biosolids generated in the state. This program is a response to increasing national alarm about the safety of fertilizer. Recent media reports have surfaced alarming evidence of PFAS contamination associated with biosolid applications, but recent action is overdue.
Senator Wilson’s number one priority is safeguarding human health. Along the way, he’s helping prevent biosolids from becoming an agricultural pariah. The bill responds to growing instances of PFAS compounds in treated sewage due to insufficient standards. In turn, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has started to crack down with warnings. Connecticut and Maine have recently prohibited the use of biosolids on agricultural lands due to safety concerns. At the same time, Washington is doing more than any other state to guard against those risks by taking proactive steps.
Legislative Background
If passed, the proposed legislation would be the third successful passage of such legislation in Washington State. Senator Wilson’s bill requires the Washington Department of Ecology to study PFAS levels in biosolids. They would need to do this analysis within a year of the bill’s passage. The department is required to return its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the close of 2028.
Support for the bill has poured in from an unusual array of stakeholders. Hundreds more joined these grassroots activists in sending comments to the Department of Ecology asking for stricter testing and transparency regarding biosolid harm. This coalition underscores a growing consensus that stringent regulations are necessary to protect public health and environmental quality.
“Biosolids: they’re good. But biosolids with question-mark levels of forever chemicals may not be good,” – state Sen. Jeff Wilson
The proposal would establish clearer guidelines for determining the safety of biosolids, while reaffirming their beneficial uses as fertilizers. Senator Wilson is very serious about ensuring that these materials won’t just be permanent road wrecks. He uses a health and safety lens to focus his advocacy.
Local Efforts and Analysis
King County has already been moving in the direction of addressing PFAS concerns about its biosolid product, called Loop. The county has been testing this product for a year, but the results have not yet been made public. King County officials are on record as deeply favoring Senator Wilson’s bill. In their second set of comments, they strongly advocate for federal agencies to institute continuing testing requirements to best find and remediate any possible contamination.
Central to the county’s plan is a strategy to limit PFAS contamination at the source and requiring manufacturers to pay for the cleanup. King and Pierce counties have not faced PFAS contamination as drastic as other parts of the country. Local governments are keeping the pressure on and are determined to be leaders on the front end.
National Context
The broader context of PFAS contamination has gained significant media attention in recent years. The EPA continues to tell us that these chemicals are dangerous. Commonly referred to as “forever chemicals,” these substances stick around in the environment—and in our bodies—for years. As other states take action against biosolid use, Washington’s legislative efforts could set a precedent for how other regions approach this complex issue.